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In high summer, its time to enjoy your garden but if you are following our guide for which 5 plants to plant each month in order to create a garden with year-round interest and colour, then read on for our 5 favourites for August.
In August we recommend you plant:
LAVATERA MARITIMA VARIETIES
- There are a number of ‘Shrubby Mallows’ that are firm favourites in the garden and will produce masses of large saucer shaped flowers over a long period from July through to September
- This is a vigorous plant growing to 2 or 3 metres and is best situated in a warm sunny sheltered position in the garden
- To maintain the best shape prune back the previous years stems quite hard in late spring after the frosts are past
- It is tolerant of most soils and most positions but sheltered, warm and sunny spots suit it best
- Can look spectacular if planted alongside the yellow flowered similar size Spartium junceum
FUCHSIA MAGELLANICA VARIETIES
- These hardier varieties of Fuchsia are quite happy in a warm sheltered position throughout the year
- This is a popular seaside plant where it is frequently used as a hedge plant or as a striking flowering shrub in a border
- It is tolerant of sun or partial shade and most free draining soils
- Variety height, breadth and shape vary but some grow up to 2metres or more given the right conditions and will flower over a long period during summer and autumn
- Some varieties have attractive variegated foliage
LAVANDULA STOECHAS VARIETIES
- Commonly referred to as the French Lavender, this dwarf aromatic shrub is gaining in popularity for the garden
- The unusual flowers come in clusters at the top of the flowering stem and there are a variety of colours
- It prefers a warm, dry, sunny position in well drained soils and makes a nice compact feature plant for the border but is a little straggly as a hedge plant unlike the English Lavender varieties
BAMBOO VARIETIES
- Increasing in popularity these large grasses form distinctive thickets, are evergreen and have attractive pointed foliage and frequently different coloured stems
- They are gross feeders and should be kept well watered whilst they are getting established
- They tolerate most soil conditions and positions but really windy spots should be avoided
- They make effective backdrops and screens and establish quickly given the right conditions. Heights vary depending on varieties
- They grow particularly well beside ponds and are a distinctive plant for the garden and border
SOLANUM CRISPUM GLASNEVIN
- This is a vigorous semi-evergreen wall shrub which produces masses of potato like purple-blue flowers with yellow centres over a long flowering period
- Best in a sheltered position in full sun to make the most of this plant as it flowers from July to September
- It is tolerant of most well drained soils but will thrive on slightly chalky ones and will need some support initially to get it established
- It makes an effective screening plant for rambling over old sheds, fences etc
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